How far back can biotechnology be traced historically?

Biotechnology can be traced back to 4000 BC due to the ancient practices of agriculture and fermentation. Early civilizations utilized the principles of biotechnology long before the term itself was coined. For instance, the domestication of plants and animals and the use of fermentation in making bread, beer, and wine are all examples of biotechnology in its earliest forms. These practices involved manipulating living organisms or their components to produce desired products, which aligns with the current understanding of biotechnology's definition.

While other historical periods certainly contributed to the advancements in biotechnology, such as the Middle Ages with developments in agriculture or the Industrial Revolution with processes like selective breeding, they do not represent the origins of biotechnology. The innovations and discoveries of these later eras built upon the foundational practices that originated around 4000 BC.